Flexible reamer for cable terminals and the like



July 25, 1933. RAPHAEL 1,919,745

FLEXIBLE REAME R FOR CABLE TERMINALS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 12, 1931 30 INVENTOR QLBEKT KHPHHEL BY m5 ATTORNEYQ M Patented July 25, 1933 UNITE STARS ALBERT RAPHAEL, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK FLEXIBLE BEAMER r03 CABLE TERMINALS AND THE LIKE Application filed November 12, 1931. Serial No. 574,489.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a flexible reamer for cable terminals and the like.

The invention has for an object the con-' struction of a flexible reamer which is adapted to clean out the inner faceof a terminal-and the like in an eflicient manner.

As a still further object of this invent-ion it is proposed to arrange resilient cutting elements on the device for engaging within the cable terminal or the like and accomplishing cleaning upon turning back and forth.

As a still further object, it is contem- 115 plated to construct the cutting element with r a diamond-shaped cutting edge so that the reamer may be turned in either direction during cleaning. Furthermore, the cutting element may be arranged with straight sides parallel to the axis of the reamer or at an inclination thereto for cleaning straight or tapered openings. 7

As a still further object of this invention it is proposed to arrange the reamer with a barrel portion having a reduced front end for receiving a cap, and a plurality of longitudinal slots formed in from the the shoulder of the reduced end for accommodating the cutting elements thereof. 7

Another one of the objects of this invention is the provision of means for limiting the inward motion of the cutting elements to variable distances as desired.

Other objects of this invention are the construction ofv a device of theclass mentioned which is of simple, durable construction, dependable in use and eflicient in action, and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost. Y

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the follow Fig.2 is a side elevational View of one of the cutting elements thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. dis a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating another form of cutting element.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary central longitudinal sectional view of a reamer constructed according to a modified formof the invention. 1

Fig. (Sis a perspective view of a cable terminal which may be cleaned by the reamer- V The flexible reamer consists of a barrel 10 having a reduced end 11 and a plurality of longitudinal slots 12 formed in from the shoulder produced by the reduced end 11. Each of these slots has its inner end reduced, indicated by reference number 13, so as to form an overhanging ledge ll. A- cap 15 is threadedly engaged upon the reduced end 11 and is formed with a circular flange 16 directed towards the ledge 14. Cutting elementsl'? are engaged within the slots 12 and have reduced ends 18 adapted to engage beneath the ledges 14: and the flange 16. Resilient means are provided forseleotively urging each of the cutting elements outwards and comprises bowed springs 19 located within the slots 12 and acting between thebases of the slots and the inner edge of the cutting'element.

The barrel 10 is equipped with a handle 20 to facilitate the operation of the reamera The cap 15 is formed with knurlings 21. The cutting elements 17 are shown in the form of blades having diamond point'cutting edges 22 allowing the reamer 'to'be turned eitherway.- The cutting blades shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive have their cutting edges at an inclination to their inner sides so that when this type of blade is used a tapered opening may be cleaned. j r

In Fig. 4 another form'of'blade-has been illustrated in which the cutting edge is parallelto the bottom side for the'purpose of reaming av straight hole. The cutting element may be formed from a 'stone, abrasive or the like material. f

. In' Fig. 5 another modification of the incable 31.

vention has been disclosed in which provision has been made for locking the cutting elements against depression whenever desired. A flexible reamer has a barrel 23 formed with a plurality of longitudinal slots 24: around its periphery and extend inward from one end thereof. A cap 25 is threadedly engaged on the end of the barrel 23 and has its inner side 26 of substantially frusto-conical form. A ring 27 is rotative upon the barrel 23 and has the side 28 nearest the end of the barrel formed of sub stantially frustoconic'al shape.

A means is provided for limiting the sliding of the ring 27 to a position in which cutting elements 29 resiliently projecting from the slots 24 are either free or latched. This means comprises a cam cut 33 formed onthe outer side of the ring 27 and engagable by a stationary pin 34'projecting from the barrel 23. Springs 35 are located within the slots 24 and serve to urge the cutting elements 29 outwards. Each of the cutting elements 29 have bottom projecting ends 36 engaging respectively within the cap 25 and the ring 27 As shown in Fig. 5, the cutting elements 29 are held against depression. The ring 27 may be turned and simultaneously moved backwards as permitted by the cutout 38, whereupon the cutting elements 29 may be depressed against the resiliency of the springs 35.

In Fig. 6, a cable terminal 30 has been illustrated which is shown fixed upon a This cable terminal has a central opening 32 which is formed slightly tapered. The reamer may be engaged within. the opening and turned backwards and forwards so as to clean the opening to insure 1 proper contact upon the terminal of ,a bat tery. The terminal of a battery in operation corrodes and a deposit forms upon it and upon the cable terminal which must be cleaned to insure proper electrical contact. The reamer may be used for a multitude of purposes. It will adapt itself readily to various tapered openings and straight openings due to the flexibility of the mounting of the blades.

WVhile I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree of particularity, I realize that in practice various alterations therein may be made. I therefor reserve the right and prlvilege of changing l the form of the details of construction or its perij hery, a cap threadedly engaged upon said barrel and having its inner side of substantially frusto-conical form, a ring rotative on said barrel and having the side nearest the said cap of substantially frustoconical form, cutting elements within said slots and having both ends formed with acute notches adapted to be engaged in extended positions by said frusto-conical sides and having reduced ends extending respectively beneath the sides of said cap and ring, resilient means urging said cutting elements outwards, and means for limiting longitudinal sliding of said ring within predetermined limits wherein the frusto-conical portions of the cap and ring engaged said acute notches for holding the cutting elements extended or wherein the cap and ring limit extension of said reduced ends only so that the cutting elements may be depressed.

2. A flexible reamer for cable terminals and the like, comprising a barrel formed with a plurality of longitudinal slots around its periphery and extended in from one end a cap threadedly engaged upon said end and having its inner side of substantially frusto-conical form, a ring rotative on said barrel and having the sides nearest the end of the barrel of substantially frusto-conical form, cutting elements within said slots and having sides converging and adapted to be engaged in extended position by said frusto-conical sides and having reduced ends ex tending respectively beneath the sides of said cap and ring, resilient means urging said cutting elements outwards, and means for limiting longitudinal sliding of said ring with pie-determined limits for firmly holding the cutting elements extended when desired, comprising a pin projecting from said barrel and engaging in a cam cutaway in the edge of said ring.

3. A flexible reamer for cable terminals and the like, comprising a barrel with a plurality of longitudinal slots around the periphery thereof, a ring-shaped element on said barrel extending over one of the ends of said slots, another ring-shaped element on said barrel and extending over the other ends of said slots, cutting elements in said slots andhaving ends engaging beneath said ring-shaped elements, resilient means within said slots urging said cutting elements resiliently into extended positions, said ring shaped elements being slightly longitudinally adjustable relative to each other and in the remote position serving as limits for said ends of the cutting elements for preventing their depressions.

4:. A flexible reamer for cable terminals and the like, comprising a member formed with a plurality of longitudinal slots, a cap threadedly engaged upon said member and having its inner side of substantially frusto-conical form, a member on said memher and having the sides nearest said cap ting elements outwards, and means for limiting longitudinal sliding of one of said members Within predetermined limits, comprisin a in ro'ectin from one of said members and engaglngin a cam cutout in the other of said members.

ALBERT RAPHAEL.

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